File a Complaint

Before you file a complaint, read any relevant consumer tips. This information can often help you resolve disputes and protect yourself from future problems.

The Consumer Protection Division of the Attorney General’s Office enforces North Carolina’s consumer protection laws, which are aimed at preventing unfair or deceptive trade practices.

We learn about such practices through consumer complaints filed with the office. Thank you for taking the time to complete the complaint form.

What To Include With Your Complaint

When you submit your complaint, please ensure that you include legible COPIES of supporting documents you may have. Such documents include contracts, bills of sale, receipts, written estimates and repair orders for any repair problems; warranties, including any oral warranties or promises made about the condition of your car or other product; correspondence between you and the company, etc.

Please do NOT send originals. If you fail to send existing supporting documents it may delay processing of your complaint. Faxing your complaint may also delay processing if the paperwork you send is illegible.

You may enter the information on the Consumer Complaint form and submit it electronically, or fill out the form on your computer and print it. You’ll need to mail supporting documents with a copy of the complaint.

You can also call us to request a Consumer Complaint form, or mail us the required information in the form of a letter. You can call us toll free within North Carolina at 1-877-5-NO-SCAM, at (919) 716-6000 from outside of North Carolina, or at (919) 716-0058 for Spanish speakers.

Please provide all the information requested. Give us details about your complaint in the "Explanation" section and on additional sheets if necessary. Be sure to tell what happened, when it happened, and where it happened, and be specific about any oral statements the business made to you, especially those which influenced you to deal with the company. Try to be brief but thorough. Be sure to sign your name on the completed form.

Once we receive your complaint and supporting documents, we review it and in most cases forward it to the business complained about for response. You’ll receive copies of all correspondence. We will work with you and the business to try to resolve your dispute.

If the complaint falls within the jurisdiction of another local, state or federal agency, we may refer your complaint to that agency.

If we cannot find a mutually satisfactory resolution, we may suggest that you consider filing an action in Small Claims Court or consulting with a private attorney. Certain complaints that involve contractual disputes or disputes of the facts can only be resolved by the courts.

In cases where consumers’ complaints show a pattern of illegal business practices, we may take legal action to enforce the law on behalf of the public.

Although we try to assist all consumers, the fact that we may not be able to directly assist you does not mean your complaint isn’t valid. Each complaint remains a part of our files and may be useful to other consumers. It will also help us to monitor questionable business practices and to set priorities for enforcement efforts and legislative recommendations.

Important Information

This office does not have the authority to give private legal advice or provide private legal representation to individual consumers.

This office generally does not become involved in matters that are scheduled or have already been heard in a court of law or have already been closed by the agency with proper jurisdiction.

Documents provided to this office may be public record.

We Can Help

Complete the Consumer Complaint Form or call toll free within North Carolina at 1-877-5-NO-SCAM (1-877-566-7226) for assistance.